Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Inspiration


We were up in Lake Placid this weekend watching our friend compete in her second Ironman race. The Ironman is hands down the most inspiring race I've ever witnessed. It's a long day, even for a spectator sitting on the curb, snacking on licorice. For the athletes, it's a grueling testament to the seven-plus months of training - the early workouts, followed by a full day of work, followed by a late workout, followed by another day of that and then another. And then you stand at the finish line & find it impossible to hold back tears as there are literally dreams coming true minute after minute. Men and women crossing the line - many with numbers on the back of their legs that double the 29 that would be on mine. I find visual inspiration around me on a daily basis & in regular everyday things. This race is anything but regular - and the impact as a spectator follows suit. And even though I experienced this race for myself first hand last year, I still found myself completely overwhelmed by the sheer determination & will that carried many over that line on Sunday - as if I was seeing it all with new (and blurry) eyes. If you ever have the chance to witness an Ironman race, you must. Even if it's not for you, it will change your life.

More on the Ironman race here and a great comeback story here.

Thank you Jen for showing us all, as cheesy as it sounds, that anything is possible.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Could not agree more - I watched my 62 year old dad finish an ironman and it was probably one of the most memorable and inspiring events ever!